I need the correct value for my unattend.txt custom install.

[dosboss]

hi

i searched for this but could not find the answer i want. can you help me? ..please?!?

what i'm doing is using the unattend.txt file to install some extra drives/vaues when installing windows xp. its all working fine, but, the install also automatically installs windows into the root of my c drive to c:\windows. that's fine for now as i'm testing still, but that's not what i want. i have several partitions and want to be able to select the drive i want windows to install to. reading the values from the above link, i think i have it set correctly by using Manual instead of *, or a specific name.

my own file is:

; Microsoft Windows
; (c) 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
;
; Sample Unattended Setup Answer File
;
; This file contains information about how to automate the installation
; or upgrade of Windows so the Setup program runs without requiring
; user input.  You can find more information in the ref.chm found at
; CD:\support\tools\deploy.cab
;

[Unattended]
Unattendmode = FullUnattended
OemPreinstall = YES
TargetPath = Manual
Filesystem = LeaveAlone

[MassStorageDrivers]
"Intel(R) ICH10R SATA AHCI Controller" = OEM

etc......

[Yzöwl]

Take a look at the first item here and the fourth item here

[dosboss]

Take a look at the first item here and the fourth item here

thanks for your reply...

just to clarify some things first.

that document you linked to refers to a file named winnt.sif. i assume that was the name of the file used in earlier versions of windows prior to xp?

either way, i have no such exact file anywhere on the windows xp disc. the only file with the .sif extension is one called txtsetup.sif.

i assume the unattend.txt file proceeded winnt.sif and we can base edits on that. if correct, then i assume i should add the following line to the file to make it so:

; Microsoft Windows
; (c) 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
;
; Sample Unattended Setup Answer File
;
; This file contains information about how to automate the installation
; or upgrade of Windows so the Setup program runs without requiring
; user input.  You can find more information in the ref.chm found at
; CD:\support\tools\deploy.cab
;

[Unattended]
Unattendmode = FullUnattended
OemPreinstall = YES
TargetPath = Manual
Filesystem = LeaveAlone

[Data]
AutoPartition=0

[MassStorageDrivers]
"Intel(R) ICH10R SATA AHCI Controller" = OEM

etc......

[dosboss]

bump....

[Yzöwl]

Although they appear similar, there are some differences between unattend.txt and winnt.sif. (I'd suggest you rename your newly created file to winnt.sif).

You do not need to include a particular value or its pertinent data if you wish for it to be requested during the installation, (so either leave the data blank or comment out/remove, for instance, the 'TargetPath' line).

[dosboss]

Although they appear similar, there are some differences between unattend.txt and winnt.sif. (I'd suggest you rename your newly created file to winnt.sif).

You do not need to include a particular value or its pertinent data if you wish for it to be requested during the installation, (so either leave the data blank or comment out/remove, for instance, the 'TargetPath' line).

now you're just confusing me. the unattend.txt works just fine, except for the part where i can't select the drive (or partition) i want to install windows to. (NOT THE PATH!!!)

forget the path or anything to do with paths. ie: directories.

i want the windows setup to give me the choice of which drive/partition to install windows to.

can this be done with the unattend.txt added line or not? (i can't test it yet, otherwise i'd know by now)

i mean i added the lines:

[Data]

AutoPartition=0

to the unattend.txt file. is that even the right thing to do?

[Yzöwl]

Which bit of the following confuses you!

If you have the selection on 1 then Windows Setup will install the OS on any free partition that is available. If you remove this line or if you put AutoPartition=0 then setup will ask you on which partition you wish to install Windows onto and advises you what to do if your partition already contains an OS.

As far as unattend.txt goes, Windows XP will use a file named winnt.sif first, (if found in an appropriate location), if not then it can use the supplied, (and edited as required), unattend.txt.

Have you taken a look at ref.chm? as mentioned within the comments at the head of your unattended file

[dosboss]

thank you Jesus! i've done it.

i changed LeavAlone to * and now it asks. UAHHHHH!!

[Unattended]
Unattendmode = FullUnattended
OemPreinstall = YES
TargetPath = *
Filesystem = *

[MassStorageDrivers]
"Intel(R) ICH10R SATA AHCI Controller" = OEM

[OEMBootFiles]
iaAHCI.inf
iaStor.sys
iaAHCI.cat
TXTSETUP.OEM

etc....

and of course now i get the screen i wanted. :